The Computers and Ministry Grants Initiative (CMGI), the program that led to this book, was a team project. Aaron was the team leader and Nancy helped him cocreate it. As the organizers and managers of the project, it was their pleasure to work with a group of dedicated, passionate, capable professionals who united for a common purpose—to help congregations use technology as a part of their ministry. We acknowledge and thank them.
First, our consultants. These folks worked directly with congregations. They took the information from the class sessions and helped make it specific and applicable to each congregation. It was hard finding people who had the unique combined skill sets of experience with congregations and technology, but these people did it well. They are Sue Weber, Denise Smith, Steve Clark, Brigitte Black, Molly Ellsworth, and Susan Sveen.
Of course, without the support of our colleagues at the Indianapolis Center for Congregations, the program and ensuing book would not have been possible. This project consumed a great deal of the Center’s resources for more than three years. It could not have been as successful without the generosity of time and spirit from the Center staff. We particularly thank Janice Phillips and Jerri Kinder for their fabulous administrative support and Nancy DeMott who was instrumental in creating the original curriculum. Tim Shapiro, the Center’s president, could always be counted on to drop by and offer words of support for “our” book.
We also need to thank John Wimmer and the Lilly Endowment. John, the Indianapolis Center’s founding director, was a tireless champion of this program. He made sure the Endowment knew that we were really touching people’s lives. Lilly Endowment Inc. made it all possible by generously funding the work.
We also acknowledge, with gratitude, the support of our Alban publishing colleagues. Beth Ann Gaede and Rochelle Melander especially helped with kind, wise, and firm editorial guidance and suggestions.
In addition to our combined acknowledgments, we each have some special people we want to recognize.
Aaron acknowledges “his wonderful wife Kelly and three amazing children, Hannah, Elijah, and Gabriel. Without their support and commitment to my passion the CMGI program would not have succeeded.”
Nancy thanks “Diane Brown and Velma Buck, extraordinary women and dedicated teachers. They contributed more to my life than they will ever know. Thanks also go to my daughter Jenna, whose delightful spirit and quick wit provided welcome relief when writing became a chore. And to my husband Kevin, friend and life partner, whose love and encouragement make all the difference every day.”
Brent says, “thanks for your support in this book project, and life, to Nancy [Bill]. You have supported my writing and computer habits for many years. I guess that makes you a co-computer-dependent. Nancy, now that this book is finally finished, I promise I will not retreat upstairs to my computer right after dinner. But then I make that promise every time I finish a book, don’t I?”
Finally, the three of us acknowledge—us. We had a great time planning and writing this book together. It was a lot of work, but each of us contributed her or his part with grace, care, and lots of laughter. Let’s not do it again real soon.
We need to say one more thing. That is that everyone involved in this project worked selflessly, tirelessly, and without complaint for the betterment of congregations. Their time and participation were a blessing. Aaron’s tradition teaches mitokh shelo lishmah, ba lishmah—that people do things without ulterior motive, without the intention to please God, but because those actions are the right thing to do and their minds and hearts are set to the right purpose. This describes the Computers and Ministry team.
Aaron Spiegel, Nancy Armstrong, and Brent Bill
Indianapolis 2004